Sk Macharia Lands Govt Job

Citizen TV founder and billionaire SK Macharia has taken on a new role, officially sworn in as a member of the Murang’a County Budget and Council Forum.

The swearing-in ceremony, attended by Governor Irungu Kang’ata and broadcast live on Citizen TV, marked Macharia’s entry into advising the Governor on county budgeting and economic development policies.

Governor Kang’ata, addressing the function, emphasized the importance of the new council members in making Murang’a County attractive to investors, thereby generating employment opportunities for the youth.

He expressed optimism that leveraging the expertise of individuals like Macharia, along with other appointees like former Equity Chairman Peter Munga and Businessman Jimnah Mbaru, would contribute to the county’s growth.

The council, established in 2015 to foster cohesion among county leaders, has a renewed focus on advising the Governor on strategic areas of investment.

Governor Kang’ata particularly highlighted the potential of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) as a game-changer for economic development in Murang’a County. He urged the EPZ to source raw materials locally and prioritize hiring from the host county.

While the names of the appointees were gazetted in November the previous year, details about their contracts, terms of service, and remuneration remained undisclosed. The lack of transparency in this regard raises questions about the nature of their engagements.

SK Macharia, known for his role as the founder, owner, and chairman of Royal Media Services, which operates Citizen TV, Inooro TV, and various radio stations, now holds a significant position in shaping the economic landscape of Murang’a County.

The move comes amidst a broader initiative by the Governor to tap into the experience of notable figures in academia, business, and professions to drive the county’s development agenda. Governor Kang’ata’s call to create an environment that attracts top investors underscores the commitment to fostering economic growth and utilizing generated taxes for the county’s benefit.

As SK Macharia assumes this role in the Murang’a County council, it remains to be seen how his influence and expertise will contribute to the envisioned economic transformation, especially in the proposed EPZ, and whether transparency concerns around the appointments will be addressed in the future.